The question concerned Garrett Atkins’ potential as the Rockies’ cleanup hitter and major run producer this season. Second baseman Clint Barmes fielded the question with a bemused look on his face.

“Atty is always going to hit, he’s always going to produce, he’s always going to be there,” Barmes said after the Rockies clubbed Philadelphia 10-3 on Friday. “His swing is never going to change, and I’ve watched him since 2000, when we got drafted together.”

With Matt Holliday gone to Oakland, the Rockies are counting on Atkins swinging a big bat in the cleanup spot.

After going 0-for-11 in the season’s first three games in Arizona, Atkins made his first hit of the season a memorable one, crushing a 1-1 fastball from Phillies ace Cole Hamels for a two-run homer in a five-run third inning. Atkins added a single in the fourth.

“It was a good time,” Atkins said. “Obviously, you don’t want to wait four games into the season to get your first hit, but it was good to be part of a win today.”

Atkins’ home run came with two out, and that was significant. Last year, he was the poster boy for the Rockies’ inability to drive in runners in scoring position, particularly with two out. Atkins hit .322 with the bases empty, but .225 with runners in scoring position. With two outs, he hit just .192 (19-for-99). By contrast, in 2006, Atkins was a hitting machine in the clutch, batting .319 with the bases empty and .341 with runners in scoring position.

Ryan Spilborghs, who has already banged out five doubles in the first four games and is hitting .389, said Atkins is an ideal cleanup hitter in what is shaping up as a potent lineup.

“I think it’s just a confidence thing and relying on the teammates behind you,” Spilborghs said. “Garrett knew that he had (Brad) Hawpe coming up behind him, so that if he didn’t get a good pitch, he could work a walk. That’s kind of where we are right now. We know we can rely on everybody.”

Despite a lingering groin injury, Atkins raked the ball during spring training. He appears to be honing his swing into shape after making minor tweaks this week. Throughout the Arizona series, he pulled the ball on the ground to the left side.

Atkins said he’s not thinking about his role at the heart of the order.

“I’m just trying to get a good pitch and trying to hit it hard,” he said. “I’m not trying to hit home runs, I’m not trying to be Holliday, because I don’t think anybody is capable of that. We just have a lot of guys who are contact hitters and line-drive hitters, and that’s what worked for us today and will work this season.”

Atkins could be well-suited to the cleanup role. Last season, he hit 10 homers in 213 at-bats from the No. 4 hole, as compared to 11 homers in 372 at-bats from the No. 5 hole.

At the end of a satisfying opening day at Coors Field, Barmes gave Atkins the ultimate testimonial: “When he is going well, there is nobody else in this clubhouse that I would rather have at the plate to drive in a run.”

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.